Dole Institute announces fall 2012 programming

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas has announced the programming schedule for the fall 2012 semester, including the series “Campaign 2012.” All events are located at the Dole Institute and are free and open to the public.

"We have an interesting mix of programs, and given that it's a presidential year we'll focus heavily on domestic politics. We'll award the Wounded Warrior Project the Dole Leadership Prize for their excellent work,” said Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute. “That's just the tip of the iceberg. We expect there will be more to announce soon."

Campaign 2012 is a six-part series that will host political insiders, expert KU faculty, a seasoned television pundit, KU students from around the globe and a weekly look inside the presidential election led by the 2012 Fall Dole Fellows. The series will also include an interactive debate watch and the return of the highly acclaimed Post-Election Conference.

In addition to the election coverage, the Dole Institute will feature Newt and Callista Gingrich as they discuss life on the campaign trail. The schedule also boasts many authors speaking on subjects including women’s suffrage, the effects of methamphetamine in a small town, the health care crisis, “‘Moneyball’ for politics,” and more.

The Dole Institute’s lineup of programs for the fall semester:

2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5
Book Talk: “Angels at Sunset” — Author Tom Mach, discusses his latest book, which “shines a fresh light on the critical beginnings of feminism in the quest for women's rights.” This event will include a book sale and signing.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 12
Madam President: Presidential Women and the Barriers They Face: Former KU dean and professor Diana Carlin, along with fellow authors Nichola Gutgold and Theodore Sheckels, will explore reasons why qualified women candidates are passed over as presidential contenders. Join us as they talk about media, communication and demographic obstacles to women winning the White House. This event will include a book sale and signing.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 20
Read Across Lawrence: “Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town” — Join us for an evening of conversation with Nick Reding, author of this New York Times bestseller, a chronicle of meth abuse in a small Midwestern town. This event is co-sponsored by the Lawrence Public Library and is a featured event of Read Across Lawrence 2012. This event includes a book sale and signing.

3 p.m. Sept. 23
Campaign 2012 with Eleanor Clift— Political reporter, television pundit and author Eleanor Clift, will be interviewed on the presidential race for the 2012 Muncy Journalism and Politics Lecture. These periodic lectures are endowed by Martha E. “Betty” Muncy, retired owner, publisher and editor of the Dodge City Daily Globe. This event is co-sponsored by the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications.

3 p.m. Oct. 2
Book talk: “Presidents and Civil Liberties from Wilson to Obama: A Story of Poor Custodians” by author Sam Walker on his new book examining the civil liberties records of American presidents from Woodrow Wilson to Barack Obama. It explores the full range of civil liberties issues from First Amendment rights of freedom of speech to national security issues, and how some presidents have not protected or advanced these liberties. This event is co-sponsored by the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 3
Campaign 2012: Debate Watch — Come watch the first presidential debate at the Dole Institute. During the debate, KU professor Mary Banwart will lead a focus group of undecided voters as they watch and rate how they feel about the discussion. We’ll broadcast the results live to the program attendees and discuss the results at the debate’s conclusion. If you are undecided still, we value your opinion and want to hear from you. Please find more information about participating in our debate focus group at www.doleinstitute.org.

4 p.m. Oct. 14
2012 Dole Leadership Prize: Wounded Warrior Project — With the mission to honor and empower Wounded Warriors, Wounded Warrior Project is the hand extended to encourage warriors as they achieve new triumphs. Join us for a candid talk with several Wounded Warriors and WWP’s executive director, Steven Nardizzi.

3 p.m. Oct. 16
Book Talk: “Priceless: Curing the Healthcare Crisis” — Dr. John C. Goodman, “the father of health savings accounts,” discusses his latest book that proposes dozens of bold and crucial innovations that could enable caregivers, entrepreneurs and patients to use knowledge and creativity to create access to low-cost, high-quality health care. This event includes a book sale and signing.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 17
KU Students Overseas: An International Look at American Politics — Join us as we visit with KU students around the world and discuss American politics from a global viewpoint. This event is sponsored by the Dole Institute of Politics Student Advisory Board.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 23
“The Victory Lab: ‘Moneyball for Politics’”— You’ve seen it before in sports, and now journalist and author Sasha Issenberg shows how cutting-edge social science and analytics are reshaping the modern political campaign and how President Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are putting them to use. This event includes a book sale and signing.

7:30 p.m. Nov. 12
Bipartisanship & “The Last Great Senate” — Join former Dole aide Mike Pettit as he interviews author Ira Shapiro on his vivid portrait of the statesmen who helped steer America during the crisis years of the late 1970s, transcending partisanship and overcoming procedural roadblocks that have troubled the Senate since their departure. This event includes a book sale and signing.

7:30 p.m. Nov. 14
An Evening with Newt & Callista Gingrich — The Gingriches will discuss what it’s like as a couple on the campaign trail, living on the road and being in the spotlight. This event will include a book sale and signing.

Dec. 6-7
Post-Election Conference—Political insiders from both parties will analyze and discuss the 2012 presidential election.

Please check the Dole Institute’s website or sign up for our weekly emails for additional programs this fall.

For more information on these or any Dole Institute programs, visit the website or call 864-4900. The Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting public service, civic engagement and politics. It is located on KU’s west campus next to the Lied Center.

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